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Shrubs

Prinsepia utilis

Himalayan cherry prinsepia

A medium-sized deciduous shrub, with spiny, arching branches bearing narrowly oval leaves, bright green at first, darkening with age. Small, white, scented flowers are produced along the branches in late winter and early spring, followed by dark purple berries on long stalks

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Prinsepia are arching, spiny, deciduous shrubs with narrow leaves and fragrant white or yellow flowers followed by purple or red, cherry-like fruit
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Himalaya

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile, well-drained soil in full sun in an open position with room to spread

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in an open frame in autumn or by greenwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Hedging and screens
Wall side borders
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1; cut out any dead wood in summer

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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